On 18 September 1887, Giacinto Ghia was born in Turin, Italy, beginning a career that would leave a lasting imprint on automotive design. He entered the industry as a mechanic and later became a test driver for Rapid and Diatto. A serious 1915 accident ended his testing career, prompting him to establish a coachbuilding business with Giovanni Gariglio in Turin.
Ghia’s company became known for elegant, lightweight aluminium bodies, initially working with Italian marques including Alfa Romeo, Fiat and Lancia. Its Alfa Romeo 6C 1500 helped establish the firm’s sporting reputation with a class victory in the 1929 Mille Miglia.
After Ghia’s death in 1944, the company continued under new leadership and eventually produced designs for international manufacturers, including Chrysler. Later icons such as the Volkswagen Karmann Ghia and Chrysler Ghia concepts helped make the name synonymous with Italian automotive styling.
